World War Against Radical Islam

Coalition Effort Aims at Stability in Iraq, Syria

Marines fire an 81 mm
mortar during training in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in Hajin,
Syria, Aug. 4, 2018. The training is part of the
building-partner-capacity mission, which aims to enhance the capabilities
of coalition partner forces fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria
in northeast Syria. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook(Click
photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution
image available.

By Jim Garamone

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2018 - The coalition continues to
help forces in both Iraq and Syria establish security and stability in areas
that have known nothing but oppression since the Islamic State of Iraq and
Syria reared its head five years ago, the spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve said today.

Speaking to Pentagon reporters from Baghdad, Army Col. Sean Ryan noted
that Iraqi forces are working together across the country to rid the nation
of the last remnants of the terrorist group.

“The various security elements -- to include the [Iraqi forces], the
peshmerga, counterterrorism services and the federal police -- are all
working together to continue securing their country,” he said.

In Ninevah province, Iraqi forces continue to find and disarm improvised
explosive devices and continue to root out ISIS holdouts. In the mountains of
Kirkuk, the Iraqi federal police and the Kurdish peshmerga work together to
secure remote villages.

Out west, in Anbar province, border security forces continue to prevent
ISIS fighters from streaming into the country, the colonel said.

“For its part, the coalition is … enabling the [Iraqi] efforts to secure
Iraq by advising strategic leaders, training thousands of Iraqi service
members and divesting equipment they need to effectively secure their
country,” he said.

Coalition members also continue to train Iraqi forces. Since the effort
started in 2015, coalition forces have trained more than 175,000 Iraqis in
basic soldier skills and specialized fields such as intelligence, law
enforcement, medical support and aviation.

Syria

In Syria, the picture is more complex and dangerous. Ground operations
for Phase 3 of Operation Roundup have begun, and Syrian partner forces
continue clearance of the Middle Euphrates River Valley, Ryan said. “Hajin
and the surrounding villages are the last remaining territory acquired by
ISIS in the coalition's area of responsibility, and the victory by the Syrian
Democratic Forces there will mean that ISIS no longer holds territory,” he
added.

ISIS fighters are trying desperately to hang
onto the territory, and hard fighting lies ahead, the colonel told reporters.
“Despite this, we are confident that the SDF will prevail,” he said.

In Tanf earlier this month, Marines conducted
training to reinforce partner forces, he said. “The coalition has supported
the SDF through air support, as well as training and equipment,” Ryan said.
“Additionally, in liberated areas, the coalition trained internal security
forces to maintain the peace and security in liberated cities, provide basic
law enforcement support, as well as specialized services such as
counter-[improvised explosive devices] and engineering.”

Ryan said the military stabilization efforts
are going well, but are not enough. “Security creates the space for
rebuilding,” he explained. “Residents only gain hope for the future when
their children can go to school free from harm, women go buy basic
necessities in local shops, and when they can go to their jobs that allow
them to support their families. Ultimately, the military cannot fight its way
to stability.”

The cost of reconstruction is high, with
estimates of rebuilding Mosul -- Iraq’s second-largest city -- pegged at $100
billion. “We call on all nations to help those who have sacrificed
tremendously fighting this global threat,” Ryan said.